Northern_Lights_2017

7 Haunted Rachel Lynch My mommy says I’ve always been special. They told me it runs in the family. It being the ability to see ghosts. Even as a baby, mommy says my eyes darted around room watching something only I can see. Well, not only me, of course. I did say it ran in the family. Grandma would have been able to see them, even if her ability didn’t come to her until she was older. She’s dead now, though. She’s been dead even before I was a baby. Mommy says she died happily in her sleep at the hospital. I see her sometimes, but I think she likes to leave me alone. When I was really little, the ghosts scared me. I used to pretended the vitamins I got at breakfast helped me to not see the ghosts, but my imagination isn’t that great. I thought if vitamins would make you healthy, it could make the ghosts go away. That was when I was five, and I just turned eight. I like my ghost friends now. Most of them at least. “Why aren’t you playing with us anymore?” a voice pulls me from my thoughts. I look over at a boy my age floating over the grass, his shadow nowhere to be seen. He shakes out his light blonde hair. I really like his hair, but he says he likes my brown hair better. “I’m sorry,” I reply sheepishly as I look at the girl flying next to him. Lily sticks out her tongue at me and I glare back. I don’t like her very much. I want Luke to myself, but she doesn’t leave his side. Plus, she says she’s prettier than me. But she has black hair, and it’s the opposite of Luke’s. That makes it ugly. “Let’s go,” I sigh out before sprinting ahead into the gardens, my pretty white dress flapping behind me. Giggles surround me as we race towards a fountain. I stop as I start panting. “I beat you!” Luke gasps out in front of me. “You cheat!” I exclaim. “I think you cheated!” Lily shouts at me as she comes floating from behind me. “I did not!” “Did too! How else could you beat me?” Tears spring in my eyes as I stomp my foot. “I didn’t cheat!” I shout at her. “Dottie, are you out there?” I hear my auntie shout from around the corner. I sob and run for her. “Oh, what’s wrong sweetie?” Hiccuping, I get my words straight. “Lily thinks I cheated, but you know I don’t cheat! She won’t believe!” I look up at my auntie while clutching on her clothing. One thing I love about my aunt is how her shirt and pants always match. I used to think it was weird, but mommy says it’s normal. “Oh, I know that honey,” she says, bending down to pick me up. “How about we go inside? We can watch some tv?” I nod as I grab onto her shoulders. “When is mommy coming home?” I question as my sobbing subsides. “You know visit days aren’t until next month,” my aunt replies. I start to hyperventilate. I want my mommy now! “Shh, it’s okay, my girl. Let’s get inside.” “No!” I shout. I push at her shoulder, trying to get down. I gasp as I’m thrown over her shoulder, but I don’t relent. I start kicking and punching. “Luke, help me!” I shout, but my ghosts just watch me walk away as they lean against the fence. The door to the large house slams shut behind us. I feel a sharp pain as a needle is inserted into my arm. I scream out, but quickly stop as I get tired. Auntie sets me down on a bed and smiles sadly at me. “It’s okay. Just get some sleep.” I nod as I let out a little yawn. Auntie’s name tag is the last thing I see before my eyes close. If only I knew how to read.